As I prepare for Game 5 of the NBA Finals with Sam Summer(s) in hand, the magnitude of this game becomes greater each time that I think about it. If the Celtics lose, the series is over. No doubt about it. If the Celtics win, I don't see the Lakers beating them consecutively because, if nothing else, this team has proven it can win on the road. It's not an overstatement to say that whichever team wins tonight will be the 2009-2010 NBA champs.
The direction of this series has been altered drastically by Andrew Bynum's knee injury. Losing him obviously changes everything for the Lakers, both offensively and defensively. With that said, I would laugh at a Lakers fan if they tried telling me that Bynum's injury is in any way an excuse. That's analogous to me whining about JD Drew's latest ailment. It’s more of a story when he's healthy.
I predicted last time that the Celtics would shoot the ball better and win a do-or-die game. I was one for two but I still like the looks they were getting. The Laker defense clearly doesn't strike fear into the Celtics, especially sans Bynum. The difference this time will be that they need to hit those shots. Shrek and the donkey will not be riding in to save the day again and the Celtics need their stars to come through. Ray Allen hitting those transition shots, even if he has less room than before his epic Game 2, will free up this offense.
The stats showed 19 points on 7-12 shooting but the way Paul Pierce led the way in the opening and closing quarters was a huge lift for Boston and it was easily his biggest game of the Finals. The 3-point shot hasn't been falling for Pierce in this series but his mid-range jumper is a beautiful thing when he has it falling.
Why haven't I talked much about the Celtics’ much-publicized bench? Because we all know it's the starters who will dictate the next three games. The fact is that the Celtics starting five has yet to click and play to their capabilities. If I'm Phil Jackson (aka a douche), that is a scary thought.
We learned this in 2008 and will learn it again in 2010. Not just defense but defensive tenacity wins championships. The Celtics win this 92-88.
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